Connect with us

Published

on

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign raised substantially more money than Joe Biden’s last month, new figures show.

The Republican candidate received £111m in contributions during May – with tens of millions sent after he was convicted of falsifying business records.

A New York jury found Trump guilty of covering up a “hush money” payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels – with one billionaire donating £39.5m after the verdict was reached.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Trump slams ‘rigged’ trial and ‘devil’ judge

Trump’s campaign has refused to confirm how much cash it has in the bank, prompting critics to suggest the embattled politician is spending heavily on legal fees.

By contrast, Mr Biden raised £67m in May – about 40% less – with official records showing the Democrats have £167m on hand for the election battle.

Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who manages the Biden campaign, said: “The money we continue to raise matters, and it’s helping the campaign build out an operation that invests in reaching and winning the voters who will decide this election – a stark contrast to Trump’s PR stunts and photo ops that he’s pretending is a campaign.”

The latest figures show how the rules of US politics are changing. While a presidential candidate would have once had to bow out of the race after being convicted of felonies, Trump’s verdict led to a surge in financial support.

He will now likely use this cash to ramp up advertising and attempt to appeal to voters in swing states as November’s ballot draws closer.

Read more US news:
Ten Commandments law unveiled
Who will be Trump’s running mate?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Biden freezes during holiday celebrations

Fundraising data for June is yet to emerge – with a glitzy fundraiser attended by film stars and former president Barack Obama netting over £23m for the Democrats last weekend.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has also donated £15m to pro-Biden groups, and formally endorsed the sitting president on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Trump has been increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies as he attempts to fill his campaign war chest.

He once described Bitcoin as a “scam” with value based on thin air – but in a sharp U-turn, has now declared he wants to be the “crypto president” and support the industry.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Trump is the first major candidate in a US election to accept crypto donations – and earlier this week, there were unsubstantiated rumours he had launched his own digital asset, causing demand for “TrumpCoin” to surge.

On Thursday, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss – crypto billionaires best known for accusing Mark Zuckerberg of stealing the idea for Facebook from them – donated £1.6m in Bitcoin to Trump, describing him as “pro-Bitcoin, pro-crypto and pro-business”.

Continue Reading

US

Matt Gaetz: Speaker Mike Johnson will request report into Trump’s attorney general pick is kept secret

Published

on

By

Matt Gaetz: Speaker Mike Johnson will request report into Trump's attorney general pick is kept secret

US House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will “strongly request” a report into allegations of sex trafficking against Matt Gaetz, who is the president-elect’s choice of attorney general, should not be released.

Mr Johnson said he was against publishing the House Ethics Committee report on Mr Gaetz, 42, who if approved by the Senate will become the nation’s top prosecutor once Donald Trump is sworn in as president on 20 January.

That’s despite Mr Gaetz having previously faced a nearly three-year Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl. He denies the allegations and has not faced criminal charges.

Mr Gaetz has also never worked as a prosecutor and has only worked in law for a few years at a local level.

He stepped down from Congress after Mr Trump announced him as his attorney general pick.

His resignation brought the investigation by the House Ethics Committee to an end – two days before it had been expected to release its report into the trafficking claims.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Why is Matt Gaetz a controversial pick?

House Speaker Mr Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said of the probe: “I’m going to strongly request that the Ethics Committee not issue the report, because that is not the way we do things in the House.”

Politicians of both parties on the Senate Judiciary Committee have said they want to see the report on Mr Gaetz, as part of a Senate confirmation process for cabinet nominees that would start next year with public hearings.

Democrats have described the MAGA loyalist as “a gonzo agent of chaos” and his appointment a “red alert moment for our democracy”, while some Republican senators have also raised doubts about his suitability for the role.

Read more:
Trump hands out top jobs: Who is in, who is out?
RFK Jr chosen as Donald Trump’s health secretary

Mr Johnson said he planned to urge House Ethics Committee chairman Michael Guest not to provide the report to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee,” said Mr Johnson, who returned on Friday morning from meeting Mr Trump at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

“I think it’s a terrible breach of protocol and tradition and the spirit of the rule,” he added. “I think that would be a terrible precedent to set.”

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Mr Johnson had said on Wednesday that as Speaker he could not be involved in deciding whether or not to release the report.

Continue Reading

US

Jake Paul v Mike Tyson: How to watch, undercard and event details

Published

on

By

Jake Paul v Mike Tyson: How to watch, undercard and event details

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is taking on one of boxing’s greatest-ever fighters tonight in former undisputed world champion Mike Tyson.

The heavyweight bout is being labelled by some as Paul’s toughest test yet, despite the 30-year age gap between him and Tyson.

The fight was originally scheduled for 20 July, but was delayed after Tyson fell ill on a flight due to an ulcer flare up in May.

It’s going to be a co-main event alongside a highly-anticipated rematch between undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor and unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano.

Katie Taylor, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano, from left, pose for photos during a news conference promoting their upcoming bouts. Pic: AP
Image:
(Left to right) Katie Taylor, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano. Pic: AP

Here’s everything you need to know about the hotly anticipated fight and how to watch.

Who are the fighters?

Jake Paul, 27, is an American YouTube star who made a name for himself on social media platform Vine. He made his professional boxing debut in 2020.

More on Jake Paul

His most high-profile fight so far was his clash with Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy Fury last year, which he lost by split decision.

“The Problem Child” has since defeated former UFC contender Nate Diaz, professional boxer Andre August, former Gold Gloves champion Ryan Bourland and most recently MMA fighter Mike Perry to earn himself a boxing record of 10-1.

“Iron Mike” Tyson, 58, retired from professional boxing in 2005 with a 50-6 record and as a former undisputed heavyweight champion.

The legendary fighter, who knocked out 44 opponents during his career, returned to the ring after 15 years in 2020 for a bout against fellow boxing icon Roy Jones, which ended in an unofficial draw.

Mike Tyson (black trunks) fights Roy Jones, Jr in 2020 bout. Pic: Joe Scarnici/USA TODAY Sports
Image:
Mike Tyson (left) fights Roy Jones Jr in 2020 bout. Pic: Joe Scarnici/USA Today Sports via Reuters

Tyson’s fighting skills place him among the best heavyweight boxers of all time, but the age gap between him and Paul along with some potential ring rust are expected to level the playing field.

When is the fight and where will it be?

The bout is due to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday 15 November. The 80,000-seat capacity stadium is home of the Dallas Cowboys and is the biggest NFL stadium in the US.

The event is set to begin at 1am GMT on 16 November, with Taylor v Serrano scheduled for 3am GMT and Tyson v Paul at 4am GMT.

AT&T Stadium is shown in the fog before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Image:
AT&T Stadium. Pic: AP

How can I watch it?

It will be aired on Netflix in what will be the first live fight ever on the streaming platform.

Jake Paul, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in 2021, said his company signed with Netflix because it is “the biggest streaming platform in the world”.

Fellow MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian added: “Partnering with Netflix for this deal presents an unparalleled opportunity to bring Jake Paul v Mike Tyson to the world on an unprecedented scale.”

Do I need to pay for the fight?

Some good news for Netflix users; there is no additional cost for the streaming platform’s subscribers.

It’s not a pay-per-view event, but you won’t be able to watch it unless you have a Netflix account, which costs between £4.99 and £17.99 depending on what sort of plan you subscribe to.

Can I buy tickets?

Tickets are still available throughout the stadium via SeatGeek, with prices for regular seats ranging from $60 (£47.32) to about $7,400 (£5,914).

What are the rules?

The Texas Athletic Commission has sanctioned it as a professional fight which will count on the pair’s boxing records, but it has put some sanctions in place due to Tyson’s age.

There will be eight rounds lasting a maximum of two minutes rather than three, and both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves, heavier than the usual 10-ounce.

What you need to know about Taylor v Serrano

Taylor and Serrano produced an epic when they became the first ever women fighters to headline at Madison Square Garden back in 2022, with the former edging a split decision that could have arguably fallen either way after 10 rounds.

Now over two years on from one of the greatest fights in the history of female boxing, undisputed super-lightweight world champion Taylor, 38, will put her belts on the line against unified featherweight champion Serrano, 36.

Katie Taylor, left, and Amanda Serrano pose for photos during a news conference in May. Pic: AP
Image:
Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano during a news conference in May. Pic: AP

The contest will mark a step in three weight classes from Serrano’s usual featherweight division as she seeks the biggest win of her glittering career.

Taylor will enter 23-1 having avenged her loss to Chantelle Cameron in May last year by winning November’s rematch via majority decision to become undisputed super-lightweight champion and a two-weight undisputed champion.

Serrano is meanwhile 46-2-1 having won all four of her fights since losing to Taylor, most recently beating Danila Ramos via unanimous decision after their 12-rounder in October.

Who is on the undercard?

There are five other fights on the bill besides the two co-main events – and two of them will see titles on the line. Here’s how it looks:

  • Mario Barrios v Abel Ramos – WBC welterweight title
  • Shadasia Green v Melinda Watpool – WBO super-middleweight title
  • Lucas Bahdi v Corey Marksman – lightweight
  • Bruce Carrington v Dana Coolwell – featherweight
  • Neeraj Goyat v Whindersson Nunes – middleweight

‘The fight of a lifetime’

Paul is not typically known for showing respect to his opponents. In the lead-up to his last fight against Tommy Fury, which he lost on points, Paul said Tyson Fury’s brother “boxes because he was told to do so by his dad”.

“He doesn’t have that real heart, that real fighter inside of him,” he added.

Few, however, would question Mike Tyson’s credentials, with Paul having adopted a more respectful approach to promoting the fight so far.

“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever – the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time,” he said, adding: “This will be the fight of a lifetime.”

In a face-to-face posted on his YouTube channel on 10 November, Paul said winning would be “bittersweet” due to the respect he has for Tyson, but said it was “my time to shine”.

‘I plan to finish him’

Critics of the fight have said there is simply too big of an age gap between the two, with Tyson falling ill in May stoking talks over the fight being a mistake for the 58-year-old.

But the veteran has insisted he still has fuel left in the tank, claiming his body is “in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s”.

“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said – promising to “finish him” and his boxing career.

During the face-to-face, Tyson warned: “I’m not going to lose. I can’t even fathom losing.

“I think he thinks this is going to be a very easy night. It’s not going to be an easy night.”

Continue Reading

US

Elon Musk hints 80-hour-a-week DOGE job for ‘high-IQ revolutionaries’ will be unpaid

Published

on

By

Elon Musk hints 80-hour-a-week DOGE job for 'high-IQ revolutionaries' will be unpaid

“Super high-IQ revolutionaries” who are willing to work 80+ hours a week are being urged to join Elon Musk’s new cost-cutting department in Donald Trump’s incoming US government.

The X and Tesla owner will co-lead the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

And in a post on X, the official DOGE account put out a call to arms for people to sign up and help “dismantle government bureaucracy”.

The post said: “We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE.

“We don’t need more part-time idea generators.

“We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.

“If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”

Read more:
Who is in Trump’s top team?
Trump’s cabinet signals tough stance on China

Elon Musk speaks after President-elect Donald Trump spoke during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Pic: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Image:
Elon Musk speaking at an event held at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Pic: AP Photo/Alex Brandon

In a reply to an interested party, Mr Musk suggested the lucky applicants would be working for free.

“Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lost of enemies & compensation is zero,” the world’s richest man wrote.

“What a great deal!”

When announcing the new department, President-elect Donald Trump said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.

Mr Musk has previously made clear his desire to see cuts to “government waste” and in a post on his X platform suggested he could axe as many as three-quarters of the more than 400 federal departments in the US, writing: “99 is enough.”

Continue Reading

Trending